The foreign language department sent 25 students to compete at the 41^st annual Clemson Declamation Contest at Clemson University on October 26.

The day started at 5:30 a.m. at temperatures below freezing and ended about 12 hours later and approximately 10 degrees warmer. In those 12 hours, the competitors each recited 2 poems in their chosen language, ate lunch in the university’s dining hall, then regrouped for the award ceremony, where 10 Chiefs received medals. Junior Kaylee Lloyd won third place for Latin 3A and senior Alec Repczynski won the first place medal for Latin 4A. Sophomore Carson Poling and senior José Léon both won second place medals, Carson for French 2B and José for French 4A. In the Spanish competitions, MHS had six winners: freshman Marcela Vallejo (first place, Native), freshman Emilio De la Mora (second place, Native), freshman Marianne Richter (third place, 2A), sophomore Tim Lobl (second place, 3A), sophomore Maalik Nixon (second place, 3A) and senior Jessica Roberson (third place, 4B).

Besides being a chance to showcase their foreign language skills, the contest gave students an opportunity to visit a college campus with friends and classmates. Sophomore Tim Lobl said, “The experience at Clemson is unbelievable. From the all-you-can-eat cafeteria to the social time with great friends, [it] is amazing.” Senior Mamie Smith is a veteran competitor who has participated in the contest since her sophomore year. She said, “Going to Clemson for this contest is always a great chance to meet new people, learn wonderful poems in another language and see a beautiful campus. I’m glad I went.”